Barnett Vicarious Adventures: June 7-8, 2013

A tour of Wales. Have neglected to mention that the drivers here are incredibly courteous. They slow down to let you change lanes when you put on your turn signals, they will stop to let you make a right (left in the US) turn when is is clear that they cannot advance in the traffic. When you are walking, they will always stop and let (insist) you go ahead at the crosswalk. We are not used to this. But, I must say that no one speeds anywhere. There are speed cameras about every 2 miles or less. Fortunately, the GPS we purchased (cheaper than paying for a rental car with GPS) has a camera notification system when you are near a speed camera. But, beware of the DWI laws. There is no slap-on-the-wrist system here. You go to jail immediately, pay a very large fine, lose your driving privileges for 6 months on the FIRST offense and spend a lot of money on legal fees. Also, do not overstay your parking time. You will get a ticket. If you have not returned by the time the traffic warden comes around again, he/she calls a truck with a forklift device mounted on the side. It simply picks up your car out of the parallel parking space, loads it on the truck and drives away. Needless to say, be careful!

Swansea, Wales is a seaport located on the south coast of Wales. We had been told that the Welsh people were very friendly and indeed that is correct. The friendliest people we have met in Europe outside of Ireland. We did not realize that Swansea was actually a bit industrial when we booked our hotel. Cardiff would have been a better choice: but, more about that later.

Seacoast near Swansea on the Gower Peninsula.

Above, a stop for lunch at a tea room on the Swansea coast followed by a walk to the Swansea pier below.

The Rescue Boat House is located out in the water. As you can see this appears to be low tide but the tide is coming back in.

Above, the Swansea Pier and the lighthouse on the rocks guarding the entrance to Swansea Harbor.

An arcade games on the pier where you steer a small boat on the water.

A “proper” (it has sand) beach at the end of the Gower Peninsula.

Note that all signs are in both English and Welsh. We were surprised at the number of people speaking Welsh. I had assumed that the ancient language had died out, but not the case. All signs are in both languages and there are radio stations where only Welsh is spoken. It appears to be as difficult a language as Celtic in Ireland.

This sign is hard to read, but it tells the history of the beach invasion practice prior to D-Day in World War II. The beaches on the Gower Peninsula were used to practice the landings experimenting with watercraft and various landing tactics. Because the practice was so secret prior to the actual invasion, there is very little information available. It was one of the most top secret military secrets ever since it was critically important that the German Army did not learn where the invasion was to take place. On the hills above this little town, there was a military encampment of more than 2,000 American soldiers preparing for the invasion.

Cardiff, Wales. This is by far and away out favorite non-historic town outside London. If you have only a short time in London, you must visit Bath, Salisbury, Stonehenge and Oxford. But, if you want to visit a city just for fun. This is it. Get the train out of Paddington Station in London and head for Cardiff, Wales. The city is lovely and the people are great.

A Falkland Islands memorial to the Welsh Regimental soldiers who perished in that conflict. Below is the Cardiff City Hall.

Below, gardens outside the Cardiff Castle.

Views of the Cardiff Castle. We did not go inside. We are saving it for another trip. The National Museum of Wales was closed the day we were there and we did not appreciate how much there was to see and do in Cardiff. So, we have chosen to return for a full day in a few days.

Below, a pedestrian mall in Cardiff.

Above, Elaine liked the bakery. Elaine is standing beside a palm tree??? plant in Cardiff (who would believe it). Also, note all the Welsh flags hanging on the street as opposed to the Union Jack, the UK flag. The Welsh flag is green and white with a giant red dragon in the middle. The nickname of Wales is “Land of the Dragons.” Interestingly, if you ask anyone whether the dragon has a name, you will get several different answers. Below are the castle walls again.

We arrived at the Cardiff Docks. Elaine had a suggestion that we try the docks for a lunch location since the guide book said that Cardiff had done a good job of integrating its old docks into the city and that they had numerous restaurants and bars. Boy were they right! Below, the old dock area converted to a tourist and dining area.

The old red building in the background is the former rail station and customs house at the docks.

Above, a memorial to the merchant seamen who perished in the war while transporting supplies and war materials from the US to England. Most were sunk by German U-boats.

Interesting copper coated building. This is the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Wales, Performing Arts Centre. It is made of metal, glass and Welsh Slate. Beautiful in the sunlight. Written in Welsh and English is on the front of the building is the inscription "In These Stones Horizons Sing". The letters are cut out and replaced with glass to let in natural light.

Above, 4 pictures of our Italian dining spot on the Cardiff docks. The waiters are singing Italian songs.

Viewing area with all the flags of UK – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Above, a lighthouse ship that is anchored to mark a temporary obstruction such as a shipwreck. This one has been converted to a nice pub and restaurant.

The Doctor Who Experience. We didn’t go to this but we could see groups going to see it. The tickets were 15 pounds (23 USD). Did not think that was a worthy cause for us.